Salary Range: $106,031.14 - $128,881.52
Definition:
Under the supervision of the Financial Services Manager and Administrative Services Director , the Senior Accountant performs professional and complex accounting and financial work; prepares financial analyses, and is responsible for maintaining the City’s general ledger and financial accounting system; reviews detailed payroll calculations to ensure accuracy and compliance; performs budgetary analyses and calculations; responsible for financial analysis and trends; and performs other duties as assigned.
EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
- Sets-up and maintains financial and budgetary accounting systems including chart of accounts
- Prepares fiscal and statistical reports and makes recommendations to the executive team including the Department Heads, the City Manager, and the City Council.
- Prepares and distributes monthly financial reports
- Creates and maintains budget modeling spreadsheets and assists in the development of operating and capital budget document
- Keeps current on new regulations of the Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and other regulatory bodies, analyzes and makes recommendations to implement new procedures
- Functions as the lead in the fiscal year end close process and prepares the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), or various components thereof
- Functions as the lead for the annual financial audit and other audits or reviews
- Reviews and prepares budget and adjusting journal entries
- Maintains and calculates depreciation on fixed asset records
- Reviews preparation of federal and state compliance reports, questionnaires and similar requests for information
- Reviews biweekly and special payroll calculations including supporting records to ensure accuracy and compliance with City policy, as well as state and federal laws and regulations
- Reviews, prepares, and analyzes sensitive information relating to payroll, employee benefits, and retirement accounts
- Supervises the work of subordinate staff and provides technical guidance to lower level accounting staff as directed
- Maintains detailed records for long-term debt and interest maturity schedules including the advance call of bonds
- Maintains detailed records for special assessments
- Performs other duties as required.
MINIMUM POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
KNOWLEDGE OF: Principles and procedures of general and municipal financial administration including accounting, budgeting and financial reporting and auditing; GASB standards and pronouncements and how they impact the City; state and federal laws and regulations as they impact the City; principles of payroll accounting and regulations governing taxation and pay withholdings; data extraction tools and advanced analytical principles for manipulating data for analysis; principles of training and supervision.
SKILL AND ABILITY TO: Work independently; analyze and interpret accounting and other complex financial records and reports; understand and convey complex laws and regulations; prepare and present clear and accurate financial statements and reports; communicate effectively with other individuals and
departments; present solutions and make recommendations to staff and management regarding technical issues; maintain a high level of integrity and confidentiality when handling information directly relating to human resources management and labor relations decisions; learn, interpret and apply Federal, State and local laws and regulations to accounting and auditing work; design and implement new financial systems; may supervise lower level accounting staff; may serve as Acting Financial Services Manager.
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
- Possession of a post-secondary degree in accounting/finance is required
- Specialized training in governmental accounting, a master’s degree, and/or Certified Public Accountant is highly desirable
- 4+ years of accounting experience is required
- 2+ years government or municipal accounting required
- Similar or relevant work experience in the public sector
- Proficient use of finance software and strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Products: Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
IDEAL CANDIDATE POSSESSES THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERISTICS: Is highly professional, patient, respectful, and ethical; possesses excellent problem-solving skills and a can-do attitude. Communicates effectively and proactively both verbally and in writing. Enjoys working in a small town atmosphere with an engaged public, including merchants, property owners and residents.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer. Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen, and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, typewriter keyboard, or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS: The salary range for this position ranges from $106,031.14 up to $128,881.52 annually. Placement within the range will be DOE. This is a full-time, non-exempt and unrepresented position.
The benefits package offered by the City includes:
- Retirement: CalPERS retirement plan for Classic members is 2% @ 60 with employee paying a contribution of 7%. PEPRA employees participate on a 2.0% @ 62 plan, with employee paying 6.75% of the retirement contribution. Benefits based on highest three years of compensation. The City does not participate in Social Security.
- Health Plans: Choice of HMO or PPO plans through CalPERS Health with most family plans covered at 100%. Employees who waive coverage may receive stipend of $350 per month.
- Dental/Vision: City also offers a dental and vision reimbursement plan.
- Flexible Spending Plan: Dependent care and health care reimbursement plan available
- Deferred Compensation: Voluntary participation in either Nationwide or ICMA-RC
- Holidays: 10 annual holidays, plus one floating holiday
- Vacation: 10 days annually
- Sick Leave: Allowance of 12 days annually
- The City follows a Defined 9/80 schedule with offices closed every other Friday.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: A completed City application, cover letter and resume must be received online.
RECRUITMENT PROCESS: The applicants most closely matching the City’s desired qualifications and organizational needs will be invited to participate in the interview process. Prior to hire, candidates will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, including reference checks and a complete background investigation.A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment; however, failure to disclose a conviction will result in disqualification or termination.
This position is open until filled with a first review date of December 18, 2020.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The City of Los Altos is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of a person’s race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, mental or physical disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age or sexual orientation. Candidates with a disability, which may require special assistance in any phase of the application or testing process, should advise City of Los Altos upon submittal of application. Documentation of the need for accommodation must accompany the request.
LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER
The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.